Beneath the Surface is a solo exhibition of fine gold and silver jewellery and objects currently exhibiting at Artisan in Brisbane, June 15 - August 19, 2017.

The collection comprises over 30 unique individually hand made pieces in silver and gold, created using lost wax casting and fabrication techniques with a focus on locally sourced Australian sapphires. It also includes Cerulean Odyssey, a unique silver object created to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease.

This exhibition is an extension of a project which began as a 40 piece solo exhibition with Pieces of Eight Gallery in Melbourne, April 6 - 29, 2017.

Supporting the jewellery and objects are a series of neuroscience images created at the University of Queensland's Queensland Brain Institute. These images are available to purchase coinciding with the exhibition as limited edition fine art prints. 100% of profit from the sale of these prints will be directed to schizophrenia research.

This signature ring simultaneously represents the invisible worlds of cellular machinery, marine life, and dynamic connectivity within the brain. Designed as a pair, this engagement ring holds a 1.6ct Australian parti sapphire in 18ct yellow gold, surrounded by three brilliant white diamonds. Combined, the pair form a completed circle surrounding and protecting the sapphire with a golden halo set with six diamonds.

We are amidst a revolution in scientific imaging, especially for brain science. Our growing capability to make the invisible visible is revealing previously unknown worlds of hidden beauty within us. As we explore these worlds we are making profound discoveries about disease, consciousness, and ourselves. We are also reminded of the connection between all living things, unfolding microscopic structures beneath our skin reflect those in the depths of the ocean. Strangely, it is our exploration of the sea which has enabled us to illuminate the living brain and journey inwards.

Beneath the Surface is inspired by my work in neuroscience and represents an exploration into the shared connection between the mind, consciousness, and the sea. Scientific images from the University of Queensland’s Queensland Brain Institute demonstrate our ability to image microscopic structures and living brain cells, made possible through the use of fluorescent proteins discovered in jellyfish and corals. Fine jewellery and objects crafted in gold and silver explore the shared patterns of life. Delicate forms of ordered complexity simultaneously represent the invisible worlds of cellular machinery, marine life, and dynamic connectivity within the brain. More broadly the works reflect the unfolding nature of life, inviting us to contemplate our coming out of the world, rather than coming into it.

Veil ring: This carefully considered ring draws inspiration from organic structures observed at a microscopic scale within living human cells and beneath the surface of the sea. A 1ct Australian parti sapphire is set into an organic 18ct white gold band and shielded with an 18ct yellow gold veil.

Reaching: Sterling silver object set with Australian blue and parti sapphires.

A short film created by George Katsalidis documenting the creation and story behind Beneath the Surface, with thanks to Pieces of Eight Gallery

"Within the in-between" reveals the brain cells and their complex interwoven processes. To create this image varying colours have been used to reflect the changing depths of the neuronal processes as they extend through the brain. This image was captured at high-resolution in 3D using state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy at the University of Queensland's, Queensland Brain Institute. Available for purchase online here.

"Beneath the Surface" was created in collaboration with Dr. Jeremy Ullmann, Research Fellow in Neurology at Boston Children's Hospital. Taking advantage of the transparent skin of the zebrafish we were able to image and observe individual neurons within the brain and body. To create a single image of a fish we had to acquire of 20GB of images before carefully reconstructing them. This image was captured at high-resolution in 3D using state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy at the University of Queensland's, Queensland Brain Institute. Available for purchase online here.

Sterling silver unfolding brooch set with tsavorite garnet and surrounded by tangles of dark and golden branches.

Beneath the Surface 18ct yellow gold pendant set with carefully selected Australian blue and parti sapphires.

With a focus on locally sourced Australian sapphires, the pieces from this collection are individually hand made using lost wax casting and fabrication techniques. Each piece is designed to reflect the forms of intracellular machinery involved in vesicle trafficking and release, whilst simultaneously mirroring the ocean life that has allowed their visualisation.

A delicate curved organic fan of 18ct yellow gold, inspired by the invisible worlds of cellular machinery and microscopic marine life, is set with a luminescent green emerald. 18ct yellow gold earrings are set with brilliant white diamonds.

Emerging ring with radiating silver and gold branches, set with a selection of five Australian sapphires ranging from yellow to deep blue.

Fusion Ring II: Pairs of 14ct and 18ct yellow gold fans surround a beautiful morganite set into an 18ct white gold band. Created as a representation of microscopic cellular details and forms beneath the sea.

"Above and Below" reveals the fine processes of neurons within the brain. This image was captured at high-resolution in 3D using state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy at the University of Queensland's, Queensland Brain Institute. Each of these branching filaments are approximately 100 times finer than a single human hair. To create this image I have used varying colours to reflect the changing depths of the neuronal processes as they extend through the brain. The tissue sample for this image was prepared by Prof. Linda Richards lab at the Queensland Brain Institute.

Blue-green and yellow Australian sapphires set into ascending silver platforms decorated with gold vermeil and patina.

Pink sapphires and yellow-green Australian parti sapphires line the curved golden surfaces of these unique radial earrings.

Emerging pendant with Australian sapphires.

Silver fanned earrings with Australian parti sapphires

A stunning green-blue Australian sapphire surrounded by a halo of gold vermeil and brilliant white diamond accent.